Rubber latex brasseiere



Dec. 4, 1956 A. SPANEL RUBBER LATEX BRASSIERE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11, 1954 IN VEN TiOR.

A SPANEL ATTORNEY.

Dec. 1956 L. A. SPANEL RUBBER LATEX BRASSIERE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1954 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY,

Dec. 4, 1956 L. A. SPANEL RUBBER LATEX BRASSIERE] 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 11, 1954 INVENTOR.

SPA NEL LOIS A.

RUBBER LATEX BRASSIERE Lois A. Spaniel, New York, N. Y., assignor to International Latex Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application January 11, 1954, Serial No. 403,150

11 Claims. (Cl. 2-42) This invention relates to brassieres and to the art of making them. While many of the functional requirements of brassieres have long been known, the structure for meeting these requirements is necessarily complex and has resulted in compromise in many respects. Hence it has been and is common in the different forms and types of brassiere to make a mosaic garment of pieces of greatly varying characteristics. This requirement has hitherto limited brassieres to those made of woven fabrics with the different pieces stitched together.

It has been found that an ideal material for use in a brassiere is deposited rubber latex. The using public finds deposited rubber latex suitable for other articles of wearing apparel because it is freer from soil, elastic, easier to wash for immediate reuse, and less expensive for performance than if made of other materials and by different methods. it has been ascertained, however, that despite the foregoing advantages, a deposited latex brassiere which elastically embraces the body, presents certain problems including girthwise movement of the flesh with an accompanying unpleasing deformation of the breasts and accentuation of the normal movement thereof. Additionally it has been ascertained that a deposited latex brassiere presents other problems in regard to making the garment comfortable to the wearer and sufiiciently durable as to satisfy the consumer.

An important object of my invention therefore is to provide a deposited latex brassiere having means for upholding the breasts in desired position.

A further object consists in providing a deposited latex brassiere provided with means for controlling the normal movement of the breasts.

Another object is to provide a brassiere having at least its front breast section preformed of latex and preferably of a relatively thin wall.

Another object consists in providing a seamless rubber latex deposited brassiere having areas conforming to the diverse requirements.

Another object consists in providing a rubber latex deposited brassiere wherein the areas of diverse requirements may be provided in the dipping process.

A further object is to provide a brassiere having the desirable functional requirements while free of the unclesirable features referred to above.

These and other objects of my invention are accomplished and my new results achieved as will be apparent from the product described in the following specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in whidh:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a brassiere, showing an embodiment of my deposited rubber brassiere invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the plane 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of a breast cup, taken in the plane 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of my deposited rubber brassiere invention;

nited States Patent 2,772,418 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view thereof taken in the plane 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the plane 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of still another embodiment;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the plane 8-8 of Fig. 7;

8 Fig. 8a is a cross-section of Fig. 7 taken along the line Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of the breast section on the right side of one more embodiment of my brassiere;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross-section of a form and brassiere provided with a rubber latex deposited ridged reinforcement band;

Fig. 11 is a fragment of the brassiere wall generated by the form of Fig. l9;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a breast section employing a multiplicity of island-like depositions.

In Fig. l of the drawing, the brassiere body 10 made of deposited rubber latex comprises a front panel portion 11 with portions 12 and i3 laterally extending from opposite sides. These may be joined at the back by complementary fastening means 14 and 15. The back portions may also be formed as one completely continuous encircling member thereby avoiding the need for added fastening means.

The front panel 11 comprises breast portions each provided with a cup designated as 16 and 17, respectively, each cup contoured to the desired size and shape. The cups are suitably spaced apart laterally with a median panel zone 18 therebetween.

Below the upper edge 2t fabric patches 21 and 22 may be inserted in the latex body during the dipping process, in substantial alignment with the centers of respective cups 16 and 17 and in the corresponding opposite parts on the rear to provide reinforced zones from which shoulder straps, such as 23 and 24 are secured as by stitches. The straps are made of material relatively non-stretchable compared to the stretch of the latex body.

Perforations 25 may be employed to provide ventilation, wherever desired.

It was found that the thin latex film forming the body wall did not provide adequate support to certain individuals. In the present invention, I have found that a finger-like area of the rubber latex wall may be thickened during deposition to a degree and for a width sutfiicient to restrain the stretch of the wall where desired, and so give the wearer the needed support.

In the example of my device illustrated in Fig. 1, I form on the brassiere wall across the front panel along the upper margin deposited rubber latex finger-like bands 27 which extend from the shoulder strap attachment zones 21 to 22. Likewise, similar finger-like bands 28 and 29 are respectively deposited in the cups in general alignment with the shoulder straps 23 and 24. The upper ends of the bands extend from the reinforced attachment zones downwardly over the upper segments of the cups, and near to the apex thereof. Similar bands 30 and 32 encircle the breasts outwardly along the outer bases of respective cups 16 and 17 from zones 21 and 232 to the more stretchresistant bands 27 so as to carry the stresses from the upper margins and to give better contour formation. A centrally positioned band 31 extends from the marginally positioned band 27 essentially between the breast cups beyond a line joining the center of the breast cups and then diverts laterally to join finger-like bands 19, which extend across the entire lower marginal area underneath the cups.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a further brassiere embodi' ment 10a, wherein the front panel zone 11a is shown provided with shoulder straps 23a and 24a; thickened finger-like bands 27a extending across and adjacent the upper edge 20a; bands 23a and 2% extending downwardly from the reinforced shoulder-strap attaching zones 21a and 22a, respectively; band 350 extending downwardly in the median panel zone 13a to horizontally extending band 1% which in turn extends from underneath breast cup 16a across and underneath its associated cup 17a; band 19a positioned underneath band 19a and extending across the entire distance of the lower edge of the brassiere; bands Stla and 3211 which extend along the upper edges of the brassiere outwardly from the reinforced shoulder-strap attaching Zones 21a and 22a, respectively; and concentrically formed bands 26a and 26a extending semi-circularly on the underside of the breast cups, respectively.

In Fig. 7 there is illustrated another embodiment 101), wherein the front panel portion lllb is shown provided with shoulder-straps 23b and 24b; thickened fingenlike bands 30]) and 32!) which encircle the outer bases of breast cups 162: and 17b, and from the shoulder-strap attaching zones 21b and 22b, respectively, along the marginal edge 20b; joining connecting band 2% which, as shown in the drawing, may be made wider than 3% and 3212 which it joins, to control more eilectively the spacing between the breast cups in certain sizes; concentrically formed bands 26/) and 2612 within the breast cups 16b and 17b, respectively; bands 23:; and 2% which extend downwardly from zones 21b and 225, respectively, towards the apex of the cups and connecting the concentrically positioned bands; and bands 1% and 1% which extend underneath the breast cups and across the front panel 11b in the manner illustrated. Fig. 8a discloses a cross-section of the wider band 3% and 3221.

In Fig. 9, embodiment tile is illustrated in part, the right-hand cup designated as 16c being provided with outer peripherally extending thickened band 300 from which the finger-like thickened band Zl-lc extends towards the center of the cup. Concentrically formed bands 26c, semi-circularly positioned on the underside of the cup, are joined together by radially extending bands 26c. The remaining parts are similar to those illustrated in Fig. 7, being similarly designated with the succeeding letter following. The lower semi-circle of band Bile may be made wider than the upper half, for added support.

The finger-like bands may be produced by painting a suitable coagulant on the form in the same pattern as the finger-like bands if desired. The coagulant may be a known acid or salt solution, or an equivalent, such as heat. Up to live times or more the thickness of the normal wall may be obtained in this manner.

The coagulant may be applied by brush or pen, sprayed through a stencil, or applied with a rubber stamp, or otherwise.

The overall brassiere wall thickness should preferably be made as thin as possible, onsonant with the requirements of comfort, mechanical strength and durability. In the smallest size where such requirements are of the minimum, a wall thickness of about 0.910 inch may be used, whereas in the larger sizes a desirable wall thickness might extend to 0.013 inch or more. In the smaller sizes, the thickened areas may have a total thickness of about 0.0i8 inch, whereas in the largest size a total thickness requires-r it might extend to 9.950 inch, or more. These dimensions may be exclusive of any lining added thereto. Further factors which bear on the latex wall thickness are its tear resistance and the ability to withstand the deleterious secretions of the upper portion of the female body.

The bands may vary in width. It made wide, say about half an inch, the overall thickness may generally be reduced. if the band is g;", the thickness may be increased relatively over the thickness needed for the halfinch width.

Another method of increasing the thickness where desired is by narrowly grooving the form, such as 35 shown in Fig. 10, to form ridges 36 allowing the deposited rubber latex 37 to accumulate in the narrow grooves 38 on the form while the outer surface 39 generally conforms to the regular surface of the deposited latex on the unridged surface 40 of the form. The ridges may be crisscrossed as shown in Fig. 11, or extend in the direction of the band-like area. In Fig. 11, the latex wall 37 is shown provided with the ridged reinforcement 41 produced from the form 35 of Fig. 10. This thickened portion in the finger-like band area will reduce the stretch of the rubber sulficiently to give the required support in the brassiere. This method may be employed to reduce stretch in all the desired areas.

Another advantage of employing grooves on the form where the added thickness is desired, resides in the outward projection of the thickened portions on the outside surface of the finished brassiere, where it will not touch the body. This occurs if the brassiere is reversed, after the fiber lining is applied so as to bring the lining into contact with the body. The finger-like bands may be deposited as illustrated in the figures, or be accomplished by a multiplicity of island-like depositions 42 in the breast section 43, as is illustrated in Fig. 12.

The term latex is used herein in the broad sense and is intended to comprehend suitable natural rubber latex, synthetic rubber latex, plastic, or latices or dispersions of any rubber-like material, or a combination of two or more of the same with or without suitable additional ingredients.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided an overall deposited latex brassiere in which the natural elasticity of the latex is beneficially employed to elastically embrace the body. Such latex will give sulficiently to accommodate the moving body. The brassiere body is provided with means for preventing any unpleasing deformation of the breasts, while supporting them. The natural elasticity of the latex is additionally controlled to prevent unwanted movement of the breasts.

Control of the natural elasticity of the latex, where employed, is obtained by stretch-resisting latex deposits, thus retaining the beneficial values inherent in employing a film-forming elastic material. I have thus made possible a brassiere in which the naturally elastic body may be deposited simultaneously with the stretch-resisting finger-like bands or island-like deposits and other areas for controlling the elasticity in specified regions of the brassiere body.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular forms and uses shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claims, and by means of which objects of my invention are attained and new results accomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodiments herein shown and described are only some of the many that can be employed to attain these objects and accomplish these results.

I claim:

1. A brassiere comprising back and breast portions and means for causing a girthwise tension in the breast portions, said breast portions made of readily pliable deposited latex material which elastically embrace and conform to thebody, said breast portions each comprising an outwardly extending preformed cup to accommodate the breast, said breast portions having fingerlike bands made solely of deposited soft pliable latex, said finger-like bands being elastic but relatively more resistant to stretch than the remainder of said breast portions and positioned in the region of and forming a part of the wall of the breast portions between the center lines of the cups forming a unitary structure with the latex breast portions for resisting lateral separation of the breasts, due to the elasticity of the pliable latex of the remainder of the breast portions when the girthwise tension is produced in the breast portions.

2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said finger-like bands consist of latex simultaneously deposited with the latex of the remainder of said brassiere and rib-like in cross-section.

3. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the deposited latex finger-like bands include a band which extends continuously along the upper margin of the breast portions and in the region between the breast portions.

4. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the deposited latex finger-like bands include a band which extends from the upper margin of each breast portion radially towards the center of each cup.

5. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the deposited latex finger-like bands include a band which extends from the center of the brassiere and from the upper margin thereof towards and beyond a line extending through the center of the cups.

6. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the deposited latex finger-like bands include a band which extends peripherally about each cup.

7. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the deposited latex finger-like bands include bands which extend concentrically with respect to each other in the region including the underside of each cup.

8. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the deposited latex finger-like bands include a band which extends across the front of the brassiere and in the lower marginal areas positioned between the breast cups and the lower edge.

9. A brassiere comprising back and breast portions made of deposited latex material which elastically embrace and conform to the body, said breast portions each comprising an outwardly extending preformed cup to accommodate the breast and comprising finger-like bands of deposited latex rib-like in cross-section and positioned on the undersides of said cups, said finger-like bands being elastic but relatively more resistant to stretch than the remainder of said breast portions.

10. A brassiere comprising back and breast portions made of deposited latex material which elastically embrace and conform to the body, said breast portions each comprising an outwardly extending preformed cup to accommodate the breast and comprising finger-like bands of thickened deposited latex, said finger-like bands being elastic but relatively more resistant to stretch than the remainder of said breaset portions, said finger-like bands including at least one band that extends downwardly from the point of attachment of the respective shoulder strap toward the lower half of the respective breast cup.

11. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the finger-like bands are interrupted to form island-like deposits.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 820,972 Hatch May 23, 1906 2,158,206 Spanel May 16, 1939 2,428,127 Sidnell Sept. 30, 1947 2,611,898 Laird Sept. 30, 1952 2,659,085 Ericson Nov. 17, 1953 2,664,569 Andrews Jan. 5, 1954 OTHER REFERENCES International Latex Processes Ltd., August 21, 1941. 

